At the risk of stating the obvious, cats are not dogs. They’re generally smaller, less tolerant, and have sharper teeth and claws which they keep on a hair trigger. So while you should never leave any pets and children together unsupervised, there are some cat-specific guidelines to follow for everyone’s safety. They are especially important if you have very young kids and cats or kittens.
While it’s easy for us to put on another jersey or crank up the heat if we get cold, our pets’ options are more limited. It’s up to us to ensure that they stay comfortable and warm during the long, cold winters, especially if they happen to live outside. Here are some tips to keep your dogs, cats and even your rabbits warm in winter.
Having recently experienced the stress and trauma of being evacuated during a fire – with 5 dogs in tow – now seems like a good time to discuss the importance of having a pet evacuation plan. Some of the tips sound like plain common sense, but you’d be surprised at how seldom common sense comes into something like this, especially when you think you’re safe from most disasters.
Everyone knows that it’s necessary to socialize dogs and cats so they respect each other and their boundaries. In reality, this rule applies to all different types of animals – rabbits, birds, reptiles and so forth. This applies to another animal – man, more specifically (for this article), children. It’s essential that children learn to respect pets if everyone in the house is going to be happy – and safe.
Many dogs love water, from romping in mud puddles to swimming in the pool, but some dogs are afraid of water, sometimes to the extent that they won’t walk on wet grass. Paying attention to how your puppy initially responds to water is very important because if there is any indication of fear, you need to ensure you don’t put any pressure on your pup to ‘get over it’. Always be encouraging, understanding, and patient when training your puppy to swim and help her feel safe at all times.
The majority of pet owners would love nothing more than to take their pet with them on every trip. Leaving a pet behind makes you feel like you’re excluding a member of the family, and it’s especially hard on the kids. On the other hand, taking your pet with you makes family escapades more fun. No need to go searching around for a sitter or boarding kennel to provide pet care in your absence. It’s important, however, to remember that in the car, safety comes first.
